Ski mounted vehicle



w. H. scHoMERs 2,905,479

SKI MOUNTED VEHICLE Sept. 22, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 5, 1956 i614. W Er Sept. 22, 1959 w. H. SCHOMERS 2,905,479

SKI MOUNTED VEHICLE Filed March 5, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

W/LL/AM H. SCHOMERS W A 7' TOR/YE United States Patent SKI MOUNTED VEHICLE William H. Schomers, Denver, Colo.

Application March 5, 1956, Serial No. 569,396

8 Claims. (Cl. 280-16) The present invention relates to a snow vehicle, and more particularly, to a propeller-driven snow vehicle similar to that shown in my prior Patent No. 2,700,427. Specifically, the present application relates to improvements in the control system and suspension mechanism for snow vehicles.

A main object of the present invention is to provide an improved type mounting or suspension system which will include the advantages of the parallelogram system as utilized in my previous patent and which will, in addition, provide a sturdier, more reliable, linkage for actuating the parallelogram mountings.

Additional objects of the present invention are to provide an improved type control system that may be used selectively to actuate the parallologram mounts when the improved operational characteristics of this feature are desirable and separately to operate and turn a front guide ski when the vehicle is being operated over relatively level terrain.

Further objectives of the present invention are satisfied through the provision of alternate means for actuating the parallelogram mount utilized.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the appended description and drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an illustration in partial broken section showing the arrangement of operational elements of the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a rear end partial elevation of the snow vehicle shown in Fig. 1 showing the parallelogram mount in neutral position,

Fig. 3 is a rear end partial elevation showing the parallelogram mount in an altered or side hill position,

Fig. 4 is a perspective elevation showing the operational portions of the improved type parallelogram mount,

Fig. 5 is an elevational schematic drawing of the preferred control system utilized in this invention,

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of an element of such control system,

Fig. 7 shows a modified type of actuator mechanism for the control system,

Fig. 8 is a rear elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 7,

Fig. 9 is an elevation showing a type of hydraulic actuator of the present invention in neutral position, and

Fig. 10 is a partial elevation showing the elements of Fig. 9 in angled position.

Briefly stated, the present invention provides a snow vehicle adapted for movement over snow surfaces in flat or mountainous terrain. A tripod ski arrangement is utilized in which the two rear skis provide the main support for the vehicle and the front center ski is used for steering. A parallelogram mechanism is used in the mounting of the rear skis, so that these skis can be tilted to engage the snow surface at an angle. The parallelogram mechanism utilized is similar to that used in my prior patent but of improved design and operation.

In addition to improved mounting and suspension features, the present invention utilizes an improved control system to change the angular position of the parallelogram mount when desired and/or selectively to turn the front ski.

Referring now to the drawings, additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly apparent. In Fig. 1 it will be noted that I have provided a ski-mounted vehicle in which the main passenger supporting and enclosing body 11 is supported above a snow surface by means of ski pontoons 12 and 13. While a pontoon-type ski structure has been'shown that is useful for traversing both snow and ice surfaces as Well as for travel over open water, it will be obvious that ordinary skis may be utilized. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, two rear skis 12a and 12b provide, with the center front ski 13, a tripod support for the passenger body 11. An engine 14 having a propeller 16 is mounted at the rear of the body 11 to propel the vehicle.

Preferably the ski vehicle 11 is provided with an enclosure 17 having rear side windows 18 and a front windshield 19. The operator and passenger to be carried in the vehicle enter the enclosure through a sliding door 21 which moves reciprocally on guide rods 22 to open and closed positions. In general, the passenger and equipment load is distributed in such manner as to hold the vehicle 11 in balance when in use. Since the relatively heavy engine 14 is mounted at the rear of the vehicle, it is possible for the operator to sit forwardly adjacent the steering column 23 and foot controls 24. A brake lever 26 is likewise provided in position near the operator, which may be hand-operated to cause downward extension of the brake 27 thereby stopping the vehicle.

Since the foot pedals 24 are interconnected by means of push rods 28 to a crack lever arm 29, which is interconnected by push rods 31 to the main support axle 32 of the front center ski 13, conventional operation of the ski vehicle is possible. For use on level terrain the major parts described will provide a satisfactory snow vehicle operation; however, it is sometimes necessary and desirable to traverse across snow-covered terrain or hillsides or on sloping banks of snow drifts. For operation on such side-hills, it has been previously found desirable to provide a mechanism for mounting the skis on the ski vehicle, so that the skis may be tilted to positions corresponding with the ski action utilized by a skier traversing slopping terrain. A previous method for accomplishing this desirable purpose is shown and described in my Patent No. 2,700,427.

An improved mechanism of the same general paral1elogram design constitutes a major portion of the present invention and is shown herein in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. In these figs. it will be noted that the improved type parallelogram mechanism is made up, in general, of two major components. The first component is the rearwardly disposed rigid truss 33, which is pivotally mounted with respect to a frame member 34 of the vehicle 11 at the pivot heating 35. This truss 33 provides support for the outer pivot pins 36 of the parallelogram mechanism and likewise provides means for incorporation of an actuator mechanism for tilting the skis. The actual parallelogram mechanism utilized in the present invention includes the use of upper outriggers 37 pivotally joined to a frame member 93 of the ski vehicle 11 by means of a center pin 38. Outriggers 37 are likewise pivotally joined to an upright link 39 by pivot pins 41. The lower outrigger members 42 are pivotally secured to the frame member 34 through use of a bearing structure 43. a

It should be noted that the lower outriggers 42 are disposed forwardly with respect to the plane of the other parallelogram linkage members. This modification is made in order to provide increased support for the ski mount structure, but it is, of course, obvious that these Outriggers 42 could be maintained in the same relative plane .as the ,other parallelogram mechanism elements. As 'shown :ski mounting arms 44 extend outwardly from the upright links 39 :and are rigidly positioned with respect thereto. Accordingly, when the parallelogram mechanism .is'tilted, as shown in Fig. 3, the relative positions-of .the ski vehicle 11 and the skis mounted on-the skimounting arms 44 will be changed, so that the edges 1460f :theskis Hand 13 will engage the supporting snow "surface on aside-hill at an angle. In the tilted position, 'tliowevenit should be noted that the link members 39 are .still disposed vertically. This constantly vertical posiitioning is possible because of the arrangement of the parallelogram mechanism.

I .In' most locations where it would be desirable to utilize the parallelogram ski tilting mechanism in order to traverse inclined surfaces, it is necessary that some force lbeexerted in order to hold the parallelogram mechanism in the desired position. One'satisfactory method of positioningsthelparallelogrammechanism is shown in the foregoing figures. Inall of these figures it will'be noted that a .chain 47 is shown passing over a sprocket 48. This -;chain has its opposite ends secured to the outer ends of coil springs 49 received in a socket 51 on the truss 33. :Sincethe bearing 52 of the sprocket 48 is rigidly-mounted wvith respect to the frame of the vehicle 11, it will be obvious that rotation of the sprocket 48 will, through the agency of the chain 47, cause rotation of the truss '33 about the frame member 34. This rotation of the .truss 33 will cause theouter pivots 36 of the parallelogram mechanism to be raised or lowered with respect to -the.ski vehicle 11. Any .movement of the pivot 36 will cause a movement of the .entire parallelogram mechanism made up of upper and lower outriggers 37 and 42 :and the upright linkage 39.

With this type of tilting maneuver available to the op- ;erator of the vehicle, it will be seen that the snow veahicle may be used over .rough mountainous terrain under :conditions where it is necessary totraverse steeply-sloping hillsides. .Infact, with the .mechanism and design shown "it .is possible to negotiate side-hill slopes representing 100% .gradeL Further, with this type mechanism it is possible for the operator to tilt the body .of the ski ve- Zhicle 11 toward the center of any turn being made in sorder to shift the center of gravity of the vehicle and to :make sharper high speed turns .more safely. Besides shifting the center of gravity toward :the center of the turn, it should be further noted that the parallelogram mechanism will act to tilt the skis at an angle with respect to the snow supporting surface, thereby again simulating the natural ski action of a skier executing a sharp turn.

.A preferred type mechanism utilized to rotate the rsprocket 48 and thereby to move the parallelogram .mechanism and skis into the desired position is shown in Figs. .1 and v5. In these figs. it will be noted that the steering tcolumn '23, on which the steering wheel 53 is mounted, .provided with a lower drum .54. This drum 54 on steering column .23 is interconnected by means of cables -56 passing over guide pulleys 57 with a follower drum 58 tmountedon androtatingwith the shaft59 of sprocket 48. .When the drum 54 :is connected for rotation with the :steering column 23, rotation of the steering wheel will .cause rotation of the follower drum 58 and consequently .of the sprocket 48. The resultant movement of the chain ,47 will cause the parallelogram mechanism to be tilted to the desired position.

In some operations it has been found desirable to provide means for holding the skis in their adjusted tilted position. The brakemechanism shown in Figs. 1 and :has been found highly satisfactory for such purpose. In these figs. it will be seen'that'the steeringwheel 53, which sible.

is free for reciprocal movement with respect to the steering column 23, is attached to a cable 61. This cable 61 is interconnected to an actuator lever 62 of brake mech anism 63. This mechanism 63 provides a stationary plate 64 which may be brought into mating contact with the brake plate 66 mounted on the sprocket shaft 59. When the cable 61 is tensioned to move the lever 62, the plates 64 and 66 are brought into mating contact, thereby preventing -further rotation of the follower drum 58 and sprocket48. r

In order to hold the steering wheel 53 outwardly away from the steering column 23 to maintain the cable 61 in tension, a spring-loaded ratchet catch .lever 67 is provided on the steering column 23for mating contact with the rack 68 on the steering support bearing structure 69. When it is desired to release the brake mechanism 63, the lever71 may be pressed to release the ratchet catch -67-to again free the sprocket 48.

Combined use of the steering wheel controlled ski tilting mechanism with the foot pedal control front ski mechanism makes it possible to operate the present type ski vehicle over rugged terrain. Further, through the joint operation of these control members, intricate maneuvers, inclusive of sharp and speedy turns, are pos- These features greatly enhance the utility and adaptability of the vehicle. However, it is recognized that the described control system might be too complicated for the casual operator. Accordingly, it has been found desirable to incorporate a simple type control for use by inexperienced operators and even by experienced operators when the vehicle is being used on relatively flat level terrain. Features of this alternate control mechanism are also shown in Figs. 1 and 5, while details of one important element of the modification are shown in 'Fig. 6.

The primary function of the modified control system 'is to interconnect the front ski with the steering wheel in such manner that rotation of the steering wheel will cause a corresponding rotation of the front ski, so that if it "is desirable to execute a right turn, the steering wheel will berotated to the right, and the front ski will thereby likewise be moved to the right. The means interconnecting the steering wheel 53 and steering column 23 with the front ski include a second drum 72 mounted on the steering column 23 and cables 73 interconnecting said drum with upwardly extending lever arms 74 and 76 attached to the foot pedals 24. With this arrangement rotation of the drum 72 will cause movement of the lever arms 74 and 76 thereby moving the foot pedals 24 to alternate positions. .As previously described, movement of the foot :pedals 24 causes corresponding movement of the connecting rods 23 and .31 and of the crank lever arms 29 to rotate the front ski axle 32. Springs 77 having the cables 73 passing through one loop end 78 are provided to take up slack in the .cable 73, as the lever arms 74 and 76 are moved to their alternate positions.

The mechanism used to selectively cause rotation of the drum 72 .or .drum 54 when the steering wheel 53 is rotated is best shown in Fig. 6. In this figure steering column 23 :to which the steering wheel 53 is secured is shown passing through a sleeve structure 79. This sleeve 79 provides a bearing surface 81 on its outer face upon which the drums 72 and 54 are free to rotate. The sleeve 79 is itself secured as by splines to the column 23. Accordingly, whenever the column 23 is rotated the sleeve 79 will berotated. Further, rotation .of the sleeve 79 will cause rotation of slide bolt 82 reciprocally mounted in collars 83 on sleeve 79. As shown in Fig. 6,, the slide bolt 82 may be moved to selective positions by moving the actuator handle 84 to opposite sides of the catch 86. When the slide bolt 82 is in the position shown, an end 87 of the bolt 82 will extend through the flange 88 of the drum 54. When in this position, rotation of the" steering wheel 53 will cause rotation of the 54 thereby actuating the sprocket 48 5 to tilt the ski parallelogram mechanism. When the bolt 82 is moved to the alternate position, as shown by the dotted outline in Fig. 6, the end 89 of the bolt will extend through flange 91 of drum 72 thereby interconnecting the steering wheel with the drum 72 to actuate the alternate ski steering mechanism described.

When the alternate ski steering mechanism is being used, the parallelogram tilting mechanism should be held in fixed relative position. This can be accomplished by tensioning the cable 61 to actuate the brake mechanism 63, or if desirable, a pin 92 may be inserted through the center point of rigid truss 33 to engage mating holes in a frame piece 93 of the ski vehicle 11. Under some con ditions it may be desirable to hold the ski tilt mechanism in other than neutral position for long periods of piece 93 to hold the mechanism in desired positions.

Alternate means for tilting the ski parallelogram mechanism are shown in Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10. In Figs. 7 and 8 chain 95 passing over the frame supported sprockets 99 is shown interconnected to the pistons 97 of hydraulic cylinders 98. With this arrangement a hydraulic control 160 interconnected to a hydraulic pump 102 and cylinders 98 by conduits 103 could be utilized to change the rotative positioning of the sprockets 99, and accordingly of the sprocket 48 as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 to cause tilting of the ski mechanism. In Figs. 9 and 10 a double-acting hydraulic cylinder 101 is shown positioned between and interconnecting the frame piece 93 and the rigid truss 33. With this arrangement, changes in the positioning of the truss 33 would be effected by use of hydraulic control 100 likewise connected to a source of hydraulic fluid pressure or pump 102 and to cylinder llll by flexible lines 104.

All such modifications and changes of the present invention as come within the hereunto appended claims are deemed to be a part of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A ski mounted vehicle comprising a frame, a center ski mounted on said frame for movement in a horizontal plane, a paralleogram mechanism comprising upper and lower outriggers extending laterally from said frame, pivot members at the center of said outriggers rotatably securing said outriggers to said frame, upright link members at the extremities of said outriggers, pins pivotally securing said link members to said outriggers whereby said completed parallelogram mechanism may be tilted to various angles with respect to the longitudinal center plane of said vehicle without changing the relative angular placement of said link members each to each, a beam pivotally connected to said parallelogram mechanism adjacent the outer extremities of said outriggers, a center pivot for said beam coaxial with one of the pivot members at the center of said outriggers whereby pivoting movement of said beam about said last mentioned pivot member will cause tilting of said parallelogram mechanism, skis for supporting said vehicle connected with the said link members of the parallelogram mechanism, a control member in said vehicle operable by the operator thereof, and means inclusive of an elastic member interconnecting said control member and said beam for changing the positioning of said beam.

2. A ski mounted vehicle comprising a frame, a center ski mounted on said frame for movement in a horizontal plane, a parallelogram mechanism comprising upper and lower outriggers extending laterally from said frame, pivot members at the center of said outriggers rotatably securing said outriggers to said frame, upright link members at the extremities of said outriggers, pins pivotally securing said link members to said outriggers whereby said completed parallelogram mechanism may be tilted to various angles with respect to the longitudinal center plane of said vehicle without changing the relative angular placement of said link members each to each, a beam pivotally connected to said parallelogram mechanism adjacent the outer extremities of said outriggers, a center pivot for said beam coaxial with one of the pivot members at the center of said outriggers whereby pivoting movement of said beam about said last mentioned pivot member will cause tilting of said parallelogram mechanism, skis for supporting said vehicle connected with the said link members of the parallelogram mechanism, a control member in said vehicle operable by the operator thereof, a rotatable sprocket connected with said control member, a spring means connected to said beam, 3. chain in engaging relation with said sprocket and connected at each of its ends with said spring means for changing the positioning of said beam and parallelogram mechanism when the sprocket is rotated.

3. A ski mounted vehicle comprising a frame, a center ski mounted on said frame for movement in a horizontal plane, a parallelogram mechanism comprising upper and lower outriggers extending laterally from said frame, pivot members at the center of said outriggers rotatably securing said outriggers to said frame, upright link members at the extremities of said outriggers, pins pivotally securing said link members to said outriggers whereby said completed parallelogram mechanism may be tilted to various angles with respect to the longitudinal center plane of said vehicle without changing the relative angular placement of said link members each to each, a beam pivotally connected to said parallelogram mechanism adjacent the outer extremities of said outriggers, a center pivot for said beam coaxial with one of the pivot members at the center of said outriggers whereby pivoting movement of said beam about said last mentioned pivot member will cause tilting of said parallelogram mechanism, skis for supporting said vehicle connected with the said link members of the parallelogram mechanism, a hydraulically operated control member in said vehicle, a rotatable sprocket connected with said control member, a spring means connected to said beam, and a chain in engaging relation with said sprocket and connected at each of its ends with said spring means for changing the positioning of said beam and parallelogram mechanism when the sprocket is rotated.

4. A ski mounted vehicle comprising a frame, a center ski mounted on said frame for movement in a horizontal plane, a parallelogram mechanism comprising upper and lower outriggers extending laterally from said frame, pivot members at the center of said outriggers rotatably securing said outriggers to said frame, upright link members at the extremities of said outriggers, pins pivotally securing said link members to said outriggers whereby said completed parallelogram mechanism may be tilted to various angles With respect to the longitudinal center plane of said vehicle without changing the relative angular placement of said link members each to each, a beam pivotally connected to said parallelogram mechanism adjacent the outer extremities of said outriggers, a center pivot for said beam coaxial with one of the pivot members at the center of said outriggers whereby pivoting movement of said beam about said last mentioned pivot member will cause tilting of said parallelogram mechanism, skis for supporting said vehicle connected with the said link members of the parallelogram mechanism, a control member in said vehicle operable by the operator thereof, a drum rotatably mounted on said frame, cables operatively interconnecting said control member and drum, an elastic means connected with said beam, and a tension member operatively connecting said drum and said elastic means for changing the positioning of said beam and parallelogram mechanism when the drum is rotated.

SKA ski mounted'vehicle comprising a'frame, a'center Ski mounted on said "frame for movement in ahorizontal plane, a ,parallelogram mechanism comprising upper and lower Outriggers extending laterally from said 'frame, pivot members at the center of said outriggers rotatably securing said Outriggers to said frame, upright "linkmembers at the extremities of said Outriggers, pins pivotally securing said 'link members to said outriggers whereby said completed parallelogram mechanism may be tilted to various angles with respect to the longitudinal center plane of said vehicle without changing the relative angular placement of said link members each to each, a beam pivotally connected to said parallelogram mechanism 'adj'acent the outer extremities of said outriggers, a center pivot for said beam coaxial with one of the pivot members at the center of said Outriggers whereby pivoting movement of said beam about said last mentioned pivot member will cause tilting of said parallelogram mechanism, skis for supporting said vehicle connected with the said link members of the parallelogram mechanism, a double-acting "hydraulic cylinder mounted on said frame and operatively interconnected with said beam for changing the positioning of said beam, at source of hydraulic pressure, and a control member in said vehicle operable by the operator thereof for actuating said hydraulic cylinder.

'6. A ski mounted vehicle comprising a frame, a center ski mounted on said frame for movement in a horizontal plane, a parallelogram mechanism comprising upperand lower outriggers extending laterally from said frame, pivot members at the center of said outriggers rotatably securing said outriggers to said frame, upright link members at the extremities of said Outriggers, pins pivotally securing said link members to said outriggers whereby said completed parallelogram mechanism may be tilted to various angles with respect to the longitudinal center plane of said vehicle without changing the relative angular'placement of said link members each to each, a beam pivotally connected to said parallelogram mechanism adjacent the outer extremities of said Outriggers, a center "pivot for said beam coaxial with one of the pivot membets at the center of said outriggers whereby pivoting movement of said beam about said last mentioned pivot member will cause tilting of said parallelogram mechanism, skis for supporting said vehicle connected with the said link members of the parallelogram mechanism, a steering wheel mounted in said vehicle for rotational and reciprocal movement at the direction of the operator of {said vehicle, a member mounted for rotation on said frame adjacent said parallelogram mechanism, an elastic means connected to said beam, a tension member operatively connecting said rotatable member and said elastic means for changing the positioning of said beam and parallelogram mechanism when the rotatable member is rotated, a brake for holding said rotatable member in fixed position, means interconnecting said steering wheel and rotatable member for rotating said rotatable member when the steering wheel is rotated, and means interconnecting said steering wheel and brake for energizing said brake to prevent rotation of said rotatable member when said steering wheel is moved reciprocally to a selected position.

' 7. A ski mounted vehicle comprising a frame, a center ski mounted on said frame for movement in a horizontal plane, a parallelogram mechanism comprising upper and a es-as lower Outriggers extending laterally from said frame, pivot-members at the center of said outriggers rotatably securing said-outriggers to said frame, upright link members at the "extremities of said outriggers, pins pivotally securing said link members to said Outriggers whereby said completed parallelogram mechanism may be tilted to various angles with respect to the longitudinal center plane of said vehicle without changing the relative angular placement'of said link members each to each, a beam pivotally connected to said parallelogram mechanism adjacent the outer extremities of said Outriggers, a center pivot for :said beam coaxial with one of the pivot members at the center of said outri-ggers whereby pivoting movement of said beam about said last mentioned pivot member will cause tilting of said parallelogram mechanism, skis for 'supportingsaid vehicle connected with the said link members of the parallelogram mechanism, a steering wheel mounted in said vehicle for rotational and reciprocal movement at the direction of the operator of said vehicle, a member mounted for rotation on said frame adjacent said parallelogram mechanism, an elastic means connected to said beam, a tension member operatively connecting said rotatable member and said elastic means for changing the positioning of said beam and parallelogram mechanism when the rotatable member is rotated, a brake for holding said rotatable member in fixed position, means interconnecting said steering wheel and rotatable member for rotating said rotatable member when the steering wheel is rotated, means interconnecting said steering wheel andbrake for enengizing said brake to prevent rotation of said rotatable member when said steering wheel is moved reciprocally to a selected position, foot pedals in said vehicle, and means interconnecting said foot pedals and said center ski for turning said ski and vehicle.

8. In a ski mounted vehicle having a center steering ski and a'pair of support skis in which the center ski may be turned in a horizontally disposed plane and in which the support skis are rotatable in a vertically disposed plane, a steering wheel, a support ski rotating mechanism, a ski turning mechanism for moving said center ski in a horizontal plane to guide said ski and vehicle, means selectively interconnecting said support ski rotating mechanism and said steering wheel whereby operation of said rotating mechanism is controlled by movements of said steering wheel, means selectively interconnecting said center ski turning mechanism and said steering wheel whereby the positioning of said turning mechanism and said center ski is controlled by movements of said steering wheel, and a shift mechanism operable by the operator of said vehicle for selectively and alternately interconnecting said steering wheel to said support ski rotating mechanism and to said center ski turning mechanism.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

